Should You Give Your Dog Vitamins?

There are many reasons to give your dog vitamins range from the fact that all dogs have different nutritional requirements to your dogs food not having enough. Even if your dog is on the raw food diet, they still might need additional nutrients depending on their breed sometimes. 

Older dogs especially need vitamin supplements because they are not eating as much food as they used to and could be lacking certain nutrients. So what kind of vitamins do dogs need? Well, it helps to know what each vitamin is for. Vitamin A is for the skin. This might help prevent flaky skin and irritable skin in your dogs. 

Vitamin D is your dogs bone and teeth. Breeds like golden retrievers who are very susceptible to arthritis and hip problems will probably benefit greatly from taking a supplement of vitamin d. Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin and Vitamin K is the blood clotting vitamin. You also have vitamin b which is for healthy muscles, skin and blood and then vitamin C which is a vitamin for stress and antioxidant. 

Some people will argue that a good quality pet food will contain all the vitamins and nutrients your dog needs. Others will tell you that is simply not true. The cooking process that some of the pre-made dog foods go through might kill essential nutrients that are needed. While most pet foods will contain the "average" amount of recommended vitamins, they do not provide additional vitamins for protection against diseases. 

Liquid Dog Vitamins

Vitamins help regulate your dog's metabolism. Vitamins fall into two categories. One is water soluble (vitamin B and C) which have to be replenished every day. Vitamins A, D, E and K are what's known as fat-soluble vitamins. They are stored in fatty tissue and the liver and do not need to be replenished daily. 

Also included in these supplements are minerals. Minerals keep our dog's body fluids balanced. Your dog needs minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium (just a little) and potassium just like we do. You need to be careful though with minerals because they can affect each other if too much is taken. 

Liquid Dog Vitamins

When we talk about vitamins we do not just mean the pills that you can get from your vet. We are also talking about adding certain foods to their diets to make sure they are getting enough vitamins. If you are following the raw food diet, you want to make sure your dog gets a variety of vegetables to keep their vitamin intakes up. 

If you are not giving your dog a vitamin or supplement, take a good long hard look at him. If you see he is losing weight, has skin lesions, or losing his fur he might have a vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is apparent when your dog loses some of his muscle tone. If you notice your dog might have a vitamin deficiency, talk to your vet to find out for sure. Your vet will either suggest that your dog begins to take the necessary vitamin or for you to change his food. 

Most of the time vitamins deficiencies are more common in packaged dog food that you can get from your local supermarket. This is why it is important to read the labels on the dog food you buys if that is your feeding method. You want to make sure it contains all the vitamins your dog needs. If it does not, and you do not feel comfortable going to the raw food diet, talk to your vet about giving your dog vitamin supplements to keep him healthy.

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A Senior Dog Health Management - Rich Diet, Exercise, Vet Checkups & Supplements

As humans, your dog too ages and it is relatively earlier than a humans age. With age, numerous health issues arise in your dog such as deterioration of skin and coat, loss of muscle mass, digestion issues, obesity, arthritis, dental problems and decreased ability to fight back infections. However, large size dogs experience age-related changes earlier compared to smaller dogs who live longer. This gives us the hint to estimate when it is a time to feed your canine a senior diet food based on the size. 

A standard guideline to follow to determine how dogs age related to their size is: 

· Small breeds or dogs weighing less than 20 pounds - 7 years of age. 

· Medium breeds and dogs weighing 21 to 50 pounds - 7 years of age. 

· Large breeds and dogs weighing 51 to 90 pounds - 6 years of age. 

· Giant breeds and dogs weighing 91 pounds or more - 5 years of age. 

Say no to diets that have a low level of proteins 

Normally, it is believed that as dogs age, they require less amount of proteins. This is far behind the real fact. Senior dogs require as much protein as they were taking previously. Studies have proven that older dogs need to be facilitated with the proper level of proteins, and this does not open gateways to the development or progression of renal failures. It is even crucial to feed senior dogs with optimal levels of easily digestible proteins to help retain good muscle mass. 

Ensure to Provide Low-Calorie Diet 

Senior dogs have been recorded to attain an extra body fat in spite of consuming fewer calories. Due to the age, this change in a body is unstoppable and may be triggered due to reduced energy spending or a sudden change in metabolism. Whatever the reason is, it is paramount to feed a low-calorie diet to avoid every possibility of weight gain and the problems arising due to obesity. However, meeting the proper protein level is important to support in retaining muscle mass. 

Talk to your vet regarding the change of diet of your older dog

 

Aging can directly affect a dog's intestinal functionality. It can hamper intestinal bacteria, which can surface the symptoms of gastrointestinal infections. When selecting a senior dog diet, ensure it contains FOS (fructooligosaccharides) that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, this invariably helps in proper digestion, preventing any digestive issues. 

Pick foods with a high ratio of vitamin E and Beta-carotene 

Liquid Dog Vitamins

Antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene help in removing free radicals that can largely damage the tissues of the body and can cause signs of aging. Senior dog diets should contain higher levels of these antioxidant compounds. Good amount of antioxidants is responsible for increasing the effectiveness of the immune power in older dogs. 

Stick to Consistency 

Never be inconsistent when it comes to a routine care of geriatric pets. Along with consistent daily routine, timely veterinary examinations should be involved to diagnose the presence or progress of a chronic disease. Stressful situations and abrupt changes in daily routines should be shunned. In case, you are looking to make a drastic change in your older pet's routine, remember to put it on a gradual scale. 

Liquid Glucosamine (Vegetarian)

In a nutshell, senior dogs undergo a variety of physiological changes along with psychological changes. To tackle these changes, it is advisable to follow the right diet that is recommended for older dogs. Two things to care - their weight and agility. Your elder dogs need not only proper diet and optimal weight but also regular health checkups at a vet office. Not limited to this, the care should be extended in adding the nutritional supplements to aid their physical health. Well, taking proper care of your older dog, you can help them pass their golden years happily. 

Liquid Glucosamine for Small Dogs

As your Dog ages, it would be prudent to speak with your veterinarian to find out if giving your dog a vitamin supplement or a supplement to help with any joint problems it may be experiencing would be beneficial. 

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Senior-Dog-Health-Management---Rich-Diet,-Exercise,-Vet-Checkups-and-Supplements&id=9585621

Understanding Canine Hip Dysplasia

It is an unfortunate truth that dogs of all different age groups can fall victim to hip dysplasia. In more severe cases, puppies that are as young as only five months old will start to show discomfort and pain either during exercise or shortly after. This is a condition that can and will worsen until some of the most normal daily activities become painful. If not taken care of, these dogs may end up with an inability to walk, which calls for an understanding from dog owners as to the causes, symptoms and treatment options for this condition.

Hip dysplasia is a condition that can take place in dogs, but also in cats and humans as well. Within the canine world, this is usually a condition that impacts the larger breeds, including Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and so on. However, this is a condition that can impact all different breeds and sizes of dogs.

This condition is caused by what is known as a subluxation in the joints of the hips. When this happens, there is wear and erosion of the joint that can cause pain and arthritis. There have been studies done that have tried to determine if the number of calories that a dog has taken in throughout their daily life has been a factor as well as any predisposed factors in their genetics. Of course, obesity in any animal can lead to a problem of the joints and make it very difficult for them to get around, such as hip dysplasia can.

Liquid Dog Vitamins

It is very important that your dog is able to get just the right amount of calcium as well as other valuable minerals in his or her diet so that they have less of a chance of developing issues with their hip joints. If you are still unsure if your dog is getting the right nutrition or if you own a breed that is highly susceptible to dysplasia, it is important that you talk to your veterinarian about nutrition as well as supplementation that can be helpful to your dog's joints and bones.

Liquid Glucosamine for DogsVegetarian

The right amount of exercise, without overexertion, can have a lot to do with how your dog progresses once diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Again, working closely with your veterinarian will be the best way to ensure that you are doing all that you can to improve the quality of life and range of motion that your dog has.

Liquid Glucosamine for Small Dogs

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Understanding-Canine-Hip-Dysplasia&id=9116129

A Senior Dog Health Management - Rich Diet, Exercise, Vet Checkups & Supplements

As humans, your dog too ages and it is relatively earlier than a humans age. With age, numerous health issues arise in your dog such as deterioration of skin and coat, loss of muscle mass, digestion issues, obesity, arthritis, dental problems and decreased ability to fight back infections. However, large size dogs experience age-related changes earlier compared to smaller dogs who live longer. This gives us the hint to estimate when it is a time to feed your canine a senior diet food based on the size.

A standard guideline to follow to determine how dogs age related to their size is:

· Small breeds or dogs weighing less than 20 pounds - 7 years of age.

· Medium breeds and dogs weighing 21 to 50 pounds - 7 years of age.

· Large breeds and dogs weighing 51 to 90 pounds - 6 years of age.

· Giant breeds and dogs weighing 91 pounds or more - 5 years of age.

Say no to diets that have low level of proteins

Normally, it is believed that as dogs age, they require less amount of proteins. This is far from the real fact. Senior dogs require as much protein as they were taking previously. Studies have proven that older dogs need to be facilitated with the proper level of proteins, and this does not open gateways to the development or progression of renal failures. It is even crucial to feed senior dogs with optimal levels of easily digestible proteins to help retain good muscle mass.

Ensure to Provide Low-Calorie Diet

Senior dogs have been recorded to attain an extra body fat in spite of consuming fewer calories. Due to the age, this change in a body is unstoppable and may be triggered due to reduced energy spending or a sudden change in metabolism. Whatever the reason is, it is paramount to feed a low-calorie diet to avoid every possibility of weight gain and the problems arising due to obesity. However, meeting the proper protein level is important to support in retaining muscle mass.

Talk to your vet regarding the change of diet of your older dog

Aging can directly affect a dog's intestinal functionality. It can hamper intestinal bacteria, which can surface the symptoms of gastrointestinal infections. When selecting a senior dog diet, ensure it contains FOS (fructooligosaccharides) that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, this invariably helps in proper digestion, preventing any digestive issues.

Pick foods with high ratio of vitamin E and Beta-carotene

Antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene help in removing free radicals that can largely damage the tissues of the body and can cause signs of ageing. Senior dog diets should contain higher levels of these antioxidant compounds. Good amount of antioxidants is responsible for increasing the effectiveness of the immune power in older dogs.

Stick to Consistency

Glucosamine for
Small Dogs

Never be inconsistent when it comes to a routine care of geriatric pets. Along with consistent daily routine, timely veterinary examinations should be involved to diagnose the presence or progress of a chronic disease. Stressful situations and abrupt changes in daily routines should be shunned. In case, you are looking to make a drastic change in your older pet's routine, remember to put it on a gradual scale.

Liquid Glucosamine
Vegetarian

In a nutshell, senior dogs undergo a variety of physiological changes along with psychological changes. To tackle these changes, it is advisable to follow the right diet that is recommended for older dogs. Two things to care - their weight and agility. Your elder dogs need not only proper diet

Liquid Dog Vitamins

and optimal weight but also regular health checkups at a vet office. Not limited to this, the care should be extended in adding the nutritional supplements to aid their physical health. Well, taking proper care of your older dog, you can help them pass their golden years happily.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Senior-Dog-Health-Management---Rich-Diet,-Exercise,-Vet-Checkups-and-Supplements&id=9585621

Does Your Dog Need Supplements To Be Healthy?

Liquid Dog Vitamins

There are a lot of people who take regular vitamins and supplements to keep up with their recommended allowances. However, there are also a number of pet owners who are looking into giving their pets vitamins and other supplements to help keep them as healthy as possible. When you have a dog that you are caring for, it might be in your best interest to learn a lot more about the different supplements, natural additives and multivitamins for their overall health.

The most common supplements and vitamins that you can get for your dog will be those that are known for helping them with support for arthritic joints, fatty acids that work to improve coat shine and even reduce shedding and so much more. Some pet owners have also been giving their dogs a high quality probiotic supplement to help eliminate problems of the gastrointestinal system or even antioxidants that will help to counteract some of the signs of aging and much more.

Liquid Dog Vitamins

If you are a pet owner, you may find yourself asking whether or not a lot of these vitamins and supplements actually work. There are a lot of experts that will be the first to tell you that some will work while others are not quite worth it, just as it would be if you were looking for supplements to take for your own health. It is always going to be in your best interest as well as the best interest of your pet to read into any and all information regarding a supplement that you are thinking of giving your dog. If you are still unsure, it is always a smart bet to talk with your veterinarian to ensure that you are making the right decision and that you are getting the dosage correct for the breed and/or the size of your dog.

Liquid Dog Vitamins

Always take into consideration whether or not your dog is getting the right amount of nutrition from the food that he or she is eating, which should always include good levels of minerals and vitamins. Giving your dog a bit too much calcium could end up causing skeletal problems, especially if you have a larger breed of dog. Vitamin D can also cause a dog to lose their appetite or even harm their muscles or bones over the long term.

With that being said, there is nothing wrong with healthy supplementation for your dog. It is simply a matter of making sure that you are going with the right supplements from a reputable company.

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